A few days ago Amruta Fadnavis, wife of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, faced a lot of flak on social media, after she attended a “Be Santa” campaign launched by a radio station. Critics called this decision of Ms. Fadnavis as knowing or unknowingly spreading a Christian evangelist agenda.
Now a BJP MLA from Mumbai’s Bandra West named Ashish Shelar has come under fire for outright lending his support for a Christian evangelism event:
All r welcome ! Pls join ! pic.twitter.com/YmjiCs0eu6
— ashish shelar (@ShelarAshish) December 16, 2017
Shelar who is also the President of BJP Mumbai, is seen urging people to join the event presented by “Prabhu Yesha Janmotsav”, which as per its Facebook page seems to be some kind of a Christmas celebration.
As per the poster, the event features the Hillsong church and an Acharya Vikas Massey. Going to the Acharya’s Facebook page, one sees that he openly clams to serve Jesus:
Scrolling through his Facebook page, one finds that he regularly conducts Evangelism events across India:
Also while sharing information about the event in Mumbai, he is seen using phrases like, “His kingdom will have no end”, which some might argue is a call to spread Christianity:
Even the Church named Hillsong, which features on the poster, has a questionable past. One of its pastor was in the past accused of sexually abusing a seven year old boy and the church too being accused of being a “cult”.
Considering the decision of the BJP MLA to extend support to such an event, many Social Media users decided to express their anger:
Some facts about the messenger of the god Acharya Massey
So this guy openely converts people, wonder why our leaders are so blind to see the reality. Appeasement has sunk the Congress’s boat, it can sink others too. @rashminp @PrasadKarwa @ShefVaidya @sanjogloya pic.twitter.com/E9ERxCBiVS
— Amol Sarnaik (@amolsarnaik) December 16, 2017
What’s wrong with Maharasthra BJP.
Were happy banning crackers on Diwali & now Getting ultra “Secular” !
— Ishkaran Singh Bhandari (@Ish_Bhandari) December 16, 2017
any movement for Hindu Run Schools? vakil saheb…. RTE is killing hindu run schools.
— Masala Chaas (@masala_chaas) December 16, 2017
Some ‘good news’ that ‘Acharya Vikas Massey’ is sharing with gullible Hindus of India @ShelarAshish pic.twitter.com/hnvq09tsKg
— Shefali Vaidya (@ShefVaidya) December 16, 2017
A native of Konkan to support what is essentially a modern day Goan inquisition. Ashamed of the serially stupid behavior by @BJP4Maharashtra. https://t.co/g8vV6yVb1X
— Aakash Raj (@Ateendriyo) December 16, 2017
Ha Ha Ha !! BJP in Mah was pledging kids on Crackerless Diwali.. Now promoting Evangelism !! ??? https://t.co/5xhGkvvHyW
— Navroop Singh (@s_navroop) December 16, 2017
Sirjee @AmitShah @narendramodi, we are all invited to celebrate Prabhu Yeshu with Acharya Massey. Just forwarding the invite for an event supported by Maharashtra MLA. Hallelujah! pic.twitter.com/ycN6uUpILz
— Nupur (@UnSubtleDesi) December 16, 2017
It remains to be seen as to what is the response of the senior BJP leadership to this matter, and whether the party would provide any advisory to its members over such matters in the future.
